"A sower went out to sow . . . "
Matthew 13: 1-23
The Word:https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/071226.cfm
Growing up in the mid-west one of the crops in our home garden, that was a must have, was corn. There is nothing like a fresh cob of hot and juicy sweet corn, slathered in butter with a touch of salt, that says SUMMER simply by its existence.
My grandmother, coming
from strong immigrant east European stock, would spend hours planting and
tending the garden. She would be outside on hot and humid days, sometimes for
hours to the concern of my mother who was her daughter and would work with her
when she could. As young children we wanted to help in some way.
So, following the
direction of my grandmother, we would plant the brownish/yellow colored corn
seeds in the ground as well as other seeds, not just haphazardly but in hand ploughed,
neat and straight rows. Back and forth
we would walk carefully planting corn seeds in the ground, then cover them
carefully. After some good TLC over the summer months, the result was the tall
green heavy-laden stalks ready for eating.
Now to the parable of
Jesus told in this Sunday’s Gospel.
There are really two opinions on this parable. Some feel it is a tragic parable, while
others have referred to it as positive.
Tragic in the sense
that most of the seed tossed carelessly here and there is wasted. It never makes it to fertile ground so is
eaten by birds, scorched by the sun, or falls on rocky ground, etc.
Although on first sight it appears this farmer doesn't know what he's doing. He carelessly walks about and simply tosses out seed without regard for its care. Yet, as an image of Christ, this "sower" not carelessly but with extravagant inention, throws out the Gospel message for it is meant for all with no regard for differences. So, this parable is positive in the
sense that it is about growth. Some seed
sown, falls on fertile soil and grows abundantly; maybe even more than was
wasted. It is a parable not about seeds or agriculture but about growth and
change. Finding the fertile soil of a heart that is open to grace, God's desire that all come to receive is fulfilled; many times over in some cases - "one hundred fold."
What this tells us
and we certainly realize is that you can’t just put a seed or plant in the
ground, walk away and hope for the best to produce the fruits and vegetables
you want. Neither should we waste the grace of God offered to us for our
spiritual growth. Our prayer life must
be tended carefully by the light of the Gospel, the grace of the sacraments,
time in prayer and reflection, and the pursuit of virtues through our service
to one another. Desire is a good thing, a sign of the Spirit in our lives, but
ultimately it is God’s work and grace that makes the growth possible. Such
thoughts may apply to our scriptures this Sunday. Think of the great Saints and how their original work continues to this day and still bears much fruit: Francis of Assisi, Ignatius Loyola, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, etc.
Isaiah also uses earthy images of rain and snow and fertile ground along with seeds that grow. He speaks of God’s word, his grace, the Word who is Christ himself. That voice has not been deterred. No matter what soil is found, God’s intention will not be stifled. He will continue to sow the seeds of his grace that all might come to know him. But in the end, it really is up to us to cooperate with this divine sower; to prepare our “soil” properly for growth.
To our weekly
celebration of the Eucharist, we all bring our baggage our work tools to plant
the seeds of the word we will hear. Has
the past week been easy or challenging? Am I at peace or worried about some
burden? What do we hope Christ will offer us this week or are we at all
attentive and open to receive his word and his very self in the Eucharist? Such
was not out of the questions to the ancient crowds who came to hear Jesus.
After Jesus tells the
parable, the disciples pull him aside and ask, “Why do you speak to them in
parables?” They know these stories and riddles may confuse the crowd, but Jesus
sees their openness to learn more. They admit, “We don’t fully understand; explain
it to us.” Their soil is neither rocky nor fit for bird food. Instead, the seed
of curiosity and a receptive heart have been planted in prepared soil.
So, read and pray
over the scriptures, pray, learn about your Catholic faith, do good for others
in the name of Christ and your soil will be ready. The Scriptures bear power
and presence that is life changing – if we want our lives to be renewed in
Christ. Let’s work on our gardens and be careful about the crop the Spirit has
planted within us.
In gathering for the
Eucharist, we come before this divine sower who is searching for receptive
soil. We hear his word, we receive his
body, and we nurture our personal soil to keep it fertile but also to use what
we do know to not only hear the Gospel but to live it.
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O God, who show the light of your truth
to those who go astray,
so that they may return to the right path,
give all who for the faith they profess
are accounted Christians
the grace to reject whatever is contrary to the name of Christ
and to strive after all that does it honor.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity
of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
(Collect of Sunday)
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